Insight Community

We're looking to get insights into how individuals and the workplace are changing due to an increasingly "mobile" workforce -- thanks to things like widespread laptop and mobile device usage, as well as wireless connectivity. These days, "working" no longer means "being in the office." People and employees have truly become "Digital Nomads." Over the next few weeks and months, we'll be hosting a series of cases exploring different aspects related to this new mobile workforce. Dell is sponsoring the conversations here, and the best results will be placed on a site sponsored by Dell: http://whitepaper.digitalnomads.com/. The content may later also be added to a whitepaper and a wiki on the subject. While Dell is sponsoring the conversation, the content is vendor neutral. Just provide your insights on the question at hand.

We all know that more employees are becoming Digital Nomads, but from a business and IT perspective, how do you determine if this is a net benefit or a net loss?  Do you do anything to measure the specific ROI of having a dispersed workforce?  If so, how are you measuring it?  What have you found?  What would make it easier to determine the ROI of having a distributed workforce?  Basically, we're looking for any discussion that can speak to the ROI (good or bad) of having a workforce made up of Digital Nomads.

LetsTalk's PhoneTalk blog wants to add new voices to its website, and they're posting regular Cases here for the Techdirt Insight Community to add interesting new content to their site. The winning submissions for each Challenge Case will be posted (perhaps with some editing) on the PhoneTalk blog -- with credits to the author. The following is LetsTalk's next assignment:

Many years ago, mobile phones were seen as gadgets that could come in handy for emergencies. Obviously, now that mobile phones are ubiquitous, mobile communication is seen more as a convenience. Emergencies that call for the use of a mobile phone now include letting someone know that there's no more milk in the fridge. But mobile phones are still extremely useful in emergency situations, so before we forget about that, what are some best practices for using mobile phones for safety purposes? What phone features or services are useful for parents to keep track of their children? How can GPS functions on mobile phones make users safer? Besides not driving while talking on the phone, what other activities should people avoid doing with their phones? Can you dispel any 'dangerous' myths about using mobile phones? How can mobile phones be used to keep everyone safer?

LetsTalk's PhoneTalk blog wants to add new voices to its website, and they're posting regular Cases here for the Techdirt Insight Community to add interesting new content to their site. The winning submissions for each Challenge Case will be posted (perhaps with some editing) on the PhoneTalk blog -- with credits to the author. The following is LetsTalk's next assignment:

If you've used a mobile banking interface, we're looking for reviews on how well it performs. Which kinds of banking-by-phone interfaces are the most useful? Is the traditional automated menu system (eg. "press 1 to transfer funds") still your favorite? What kinds of mobile banking or payment services are becoming more popular? Do you think 4-digit PINs are secure enough for mobile banking -- or can you imagine more secure authentication methods for banking-by-phone? How else can mobile phones help you to manage your spending or financial affairs?

 

LetsTalk's PhoneTalk blog wants to add new voices to its website, and they're posting regular Cases here for the Techdirt Insight Community to add interesting new content to their site. The winning submissions for each Challenge Case will be posted (perhaps with some editing) on the PhoneTalk blog -- with credits to the author. The following is LetsTalk's next assignment:

As the new TV season begins in the US, plenty of new shows are trying to engage their audiences with additional mobile content and communication with viewers. So what kinds of mobile offerings are most interesting for TV audiences? Reality TV shows such as American Idol have always had voting lines, but are there more interactive mobile services that tie into TV shows? Which popular TV shows have made mobile games, mobile audience participation, mobile phone art or streaming mobile videos? What is the quality of these offerings? How do you see TV shows and mobile content converging -- or staying apart? Do you think people will start watching their favorite shows on their cell phones, and if so, when?

LetsTalk's PhoneTalk blog wants to add new voices to its website, and they're posting regular Cases here for the Techdirt Insight Community to add interesting new content to their site. The winning submissions for each Challenge Case will be posted (perhaps with some editing) on the PhoneTalk blog -- with credits to the author. The following is LetsTalk's next assignment:

Google has announced its Android Market for its up-and-coming mobile technology platform, and Microsoft has similarly publicized its SkyMarket for selling applications on its Windows Mobile systems. While these developments still need to gestate for several more months before consumers can get their hands on them, what are the prospects for these projects? Do you think that more developers will result in better mobile applications for these platforms? How do you think Google and Microsoft will handle issues such as security (ie. making sure apps don't contain viruses) as well as usefulness? Will other players like Nokia follow suit? What will so many mobile app platforms mean to consumers? Will phone apps need to be compatible with other phone apps?  Are you looking forward to more open mobile platforms with third-party applications?

LetsTalk's PhoneTalk blog wants to add new voices to its website, and they're posting regular Cases here for the Techdirt Insight Community to add interesting new content to their site. The winning submissions for each Challenge Case will be posted (perhaps with some editing) on the PhoneTalk blog -- with credits to the author. The following is LetsTalk's next assignment:

The US Presidential election is getting closer and closer with major political conventions on the way. For those who can't seem to get enough news updates on the candidates, what are the best mobile-friendly communities that track the political campaigns? How can a politically-active individual keep up with their favorite politicians or issues on his/her mobile phone (beside using Google/Yahoo news)? Do you know of any innovative uses of mobile phone technologies to promote political efforts? Also, we're looking for how to follow local politics as well, not just national elections -- as long as your submission isn't too focused on a specific small town. Additionally, feel free to suggest your own topics within this subject.

LetsTalk's PhoneTalk blog wants to add new voices to its website, and they're posting regular Cases here for the Techdirt Insight Community to add interesting new content to their site. The winning submissions for each Challenge Case will be posted (perhaps with some editing) on the PhoneTalk blog -- with credits to the author. The following is LetsTalk's next assignment:

Schools and colleges are about to resume session, so what kind of mobile phone services could make starting classes a bit easier to handle? What kinds of mobile phone tips are there for students about to meet a bunch of new classmates and roommates? What phone services would you recommend for students who may be adapting to a new and unfamiliar location? Are there services for parents to help kids adjust to new schedules -- such as the Wal-Mart/Disney wakeup call service featuring Hannah Montana? What other mobile services might help students get the most out of school or make classes more enjoyable?

We're looking to get insights into how individuals and the workplace are changing due to an increasingly "mobile" workforce -- thanks to things like widespread laptop and mobile device usage, as well as wireless connectivity. These days, "working" no longer means "being in the office."  People and employees have truly become "Digital Nomads." Over the next few weeks and months, we'll be hosting a series of cases exploring different aspects related to this new mobile workforce. Dell is sponsoring the conversations here, and the best results will be placed on a site sponsored by Dell: http://whitepaper.digitalnomads.com/. The content may later also be added to a whitepaper and a wiki on the subject. While Dell is sponsoring the conversation, the content is vendor neutral. Just provide your insights on the question at hand.

The fact that workers are so mobile these days increases the challenges from a security perspective.  No longer do IT folks have full control over what's being done on a computer and what network they attach to.  Suddenly there are entirely new challenges for keeping corporate information secure.  On top of that, there are additional challenges from the threat of lost or stolen computer devices and data snooping on open WiFi networks.  So how are IT professionals taking on this challenge?  What tricks have you learned to keep a diverse workforce secure?  And from an individual standpoint, how much do you rely on your IT staff or how much responsibility do you take in keeping yourself secure?

In general, as a guideline, answers should be around 500 words. That's not a definitive guideline, but that's about what we're expecting. You don't have to answer all of the questions here, but can pick just the one or two you feel you have the most insight on. Or, if you feel you can answer multiple ones in detail, feel free to write up separate insights.

Entries chosen to go on the site will get a share of the pot.  The pot will be split depending on how many insights are chosen.

 

LetsTalk's PhoneTalk blog wants to add new voices to its website, and they're posting regular Cases here for the Techdirt Insight Community to add interesting new content to their site. The winning submissions for each Challenge Case will be posted (perhaps with some editing) on the PhoneTalk blog -- with credits to the author. The following is LetsTalk's next assignment:

More and more mobile applications are aimed at monitoring people's health and recommending healthy foods/activities. What are some interesting mobile services or applications that can help mobile phone users stay healthy? (Note: please try to avoid iPhone-specific apps!) Do you think more mobile phones will integrate biophysical sensors -- such as heartrate monitors? Are there good mobile exercise applications or mobile dieting programs? Do you have an anecdotal story of how a mobile phone app has helped you (or someone you know) maintain a healthy regimen?